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. 2020 Oct 21;15(10):e0241055.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241055. eCollection 2020.

Association between the retinal vascular network and retinal nerve fiber layer in the elderly: The Montrachet study

Louis Arnould  1   2   3   4 , Martin Guillemin  1 , Alassane Seydou  2   3   4 , Pierre-Henry Gabrielle  1   4 , Abderrahmane Bourredjem  2   3 , Ryo Kawasaki  5 , Christine Binquet  2   3 , Alain M Bron  1   4 , Catherine Creuzot-Garcher  1   4
Affiliations

Association between the retinal vascular network and retinal nerve fiber layer in the elderly: The Montrachet study

Louis Arnould et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the association between the characteristics of the retinal vascular network in the elderly and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in a population-based study.

Methods: We conducted a population-based study, the Montrachet study (Maculopathy Optic Nerve, nuTRition neurovAsCular, and HEarT disease), in participants aged ≥ 75 years. RNFL thickness was assessed with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Analysis of the retinal vascular network was performed by means of the Singapore "I" Vessel Assessment (SIVA) software based on fundus photography.

Results: Data from 970 participants were suitable for analysis. Patients with optic neuropathy were excluded. In multivariable analysis, each standard deviation (SD) decrease in the caliber of the six largest arterioles and veins in zone B and the six largest arterioles and veins in zone C was associated with a decrease in global RNFL thickness (β = -1.62 μm, P = 0.001; β = -2.39 μm, P < 0.001; β = -1.56 μm, P = 0.002; and β = -2.64 μm, P < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions: Our study found that decreased retinal vessels caliber were associated with a decreased RNFL thickness in the elderly without optic neuropathy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: M. Guillemin, None; L. Arnould, None; A. Seydou, None; P H. Gabrielle, None; A. Bourredjem, None; R. Kawasaki, None; C. Binquet, None; A M. Bron, Aerie (C), Allergan (C), Baush and Lomb (C), Santen Pharmaceutical (C), Théa (C); C. Creuzot-Garcher, Allergan (C), Bayer (C), Horus (C), Novartis (C), Roche (C), Théa (C). This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flow chart of the study.
SIVA, Singapore “I” Vessel Assessment; RNFL, retinal nerve fiber layer. Only patients with late age-related macular degeneration and modification of the vascular architecture in zone B and C were excluded.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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